Boiler washing and filling system.



P. W MILLER.

BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1910.

Patented July 9 1912.

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' P. W. MILLER.

Patented July 9, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m star s rarest @FETQE FRANK MILLER, OF CHICAGO,-ILLINOIS, ASEIGNQB F ONE-HALF. 1R0, GWENCE D.

BA'UEBS, OE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BOILER WASHING AND FILLING SYS'EEM...

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1912.

Application filed November 28, 1911). Serial No. 585,437.

' units of the steam and water blown off from a reservoir for washing out and refilling purposes by discharging the blown-ofi' steam and Water through a coil located in the reservoir.

Another object is to utilize the exhaust steam from the stationary boilers usually located in the roundhouse and adjacent shops for further heating the fresh Water in the reservoir.

Still another object is to regulate the temperature of the water in the reservoir by automatically controlling the admission of live steam thereto.

A further object is the provision of 'means whereby the heated Water in the reservoir may be conducted directly to the locomotive boiler for washing out purposes or may be conveyed through a heater where it is further heated so that it may be used for refilling the locomotive boiler.

An additional object is the provision of a union provided with an oifset shoulder in the blow-off pipe and a scale pocket connected to the union so that the scale and sediment blown off from the boiler will be collected in the scale pocket.

Still another object is to maintain a circulation of water in the washout and re filling lines by connecting the ends of these lineswith the blow-oil linethereby maintaining at all times a supply of heated water in the washout and refilling lines without the necessity of using additional return or circulating pipes.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawingsFigure 1 is a side elevation partially in section of a boiler washing and filling system embodying my invention. Fig. 2'is an end elevation there of. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the ends of the wa'shout, refilling and blow-off lines and the drops connected therewith; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

In the installation of this boiler washing and refilling system the heaters and reser gvoirs for heating the'water to be used for .washout and refilling purposes are disposed in any convenient location either within or outside the roundhouse proper, and the .roundhouse is equipped with lines of pipe running preferably along the ceiling over the locomotive stalls or pits, said pipe lines being connected at one end with the reservoir or heater in a manner later to be defscribed and being adapted to convey water from the reservoir or heater to the remotest pit of the roundhouse and to conduct the blown-ofi steam and water from the locomotives disposed over the various pits back to the heater and reservoir. These pipe lines comprise essentially a blovv-otl main a hot water washout main 6 and a refilling water main 7. The mains, as will be understood, are disposed adjacent the various pits of the roundhouse and are of sufiioient size totake care of a number of locomotive boilers simultaneously. A post or upright 8 is usually located between each pair of pits and the drops connecting the various pipe lines are usually positioned adjacent to and if desired fastened to and partially supported by this upright. Each set of drops is adapted to be connected with a boiler which may be positioned over the pit on either side thereof.

The blow-0E main 5 has connected thereto a blow-oft drop 9 which may be provided at its lower end with a flexible pipe or hose 10 adapted to be connected with a locomotive boiler diagrammatically illustrated at 11. The blow-oft drop is preferably provided with a check-valve 12 which prevents a reverse flow of the steam and water in the blow-ofi' pipe back to the boiler. A drop 13 is connected to the washout main 6 and a similar drop 14 is connected with the re filling main 7. It will be understood, of course, that flexible pipes or hose 10 are secured to the lower end of each of the drops 13 and 14 and are adapted to be connected with a boiler on either side of the drops. The drops 13, 14 and 9 areprovided with controlling valves 15, 16 and 17 respectively, by means of which communication between any of the lines and the boiler may be controlled.

In Fig. 3 it will be observed that the last set of drops at the ends of the lines is shown. Since it is desirable to maintain water ofapredetermined temperature in the washout and refillin lines at all times, it has been found expedient to maintain a circulation of the water in these lines in order that the temperature at the remotest drops may not fall below that required for washing out and refilling purposes. In order to effect this circulation in the washout and re filling mains without installing additional return pipes through which the water may be returned to the heater or reservoir, 1- have connected the outer ends of the refilling and washout lines 6 and 7 respectively, with the end of the blow-ofl' line 5. This method of connecting permits the water in the blowoil? and refilling lines to pass into the blowoff line and be returned to. the heater and reservoir thus establishing the desired circulation and maintaining the Water atall points along the washout and refilling lines at the required temperature. In the form of connection shown in Fig. 3, I have attached to the end. of the washoutline 6, a T 18 which is connected by short pieces of pipe and elbows 19 and 20 with the refilling main and blow-ofi' main, respectively. It is usually desirable to place either check-valves or hand-valves 21 and 22 in the washout and refilling mains, respectively, to prevent the blown-ofl' water frombacking up into the mains and also to limit the amount of water which will be circulated back to the heater through the blow-,ofl main since it is only necessary to maintain a slight circulation in the washout and refilling mains to preserve the proper temperature of the water therein.

The blow-off main 5 communicates with one end of a filling water heater 23 which is provided with inner heads 24 and 25 and with a baffle-plate 26 above which the blowofl main communicates with the heater. plurality of tubes or fiues 27 are fixedly secured at either end to the inner heads to establish communication between the chamber outside the head 25 and the chambers above and below the battle-plate 26. These tubes are se arated one from the other to afiord consi erable open space around them for the-storage of the water which is to be heated by the tubes and subsequently used for refilling purposes.

A Wash water reservoir 28 is positioned beneath the filling water heater upon suitable saddle's or other supports 29, while the heater 23 is preferably carried upon girders or I-beams 3O direct-1y above the reservoir.-

It will be obvious, however, that any'other preferred arrangement of the reservoirs and heater may be resorted to if found more convenient. Water is supplied to the reservoir fI'OIIlfl. pipe 31 which is connected with any suitable source of water supply, the waterbeing admitted to the top of the reservoir ated at the crown of the overflow. It will pipe 35 discharges into the sewer or any be understood, of course, that the overflow other preferredmeans of disposing of the Vithin. the reservoir there is arranged a loop or coil of pipe 37 which preferably extends from .end to end of the reservoir and is. connected at its intake end to the chamber in the heater 23.beneath the baflle-plate 26 by pipes 38 and 39: The discharge end of the coil is connected with the pipe 39 which discharges at its lower end into a sewer, through a short connecting pipe provided with a T-fitting 40 and hand-valves 41 and 42. 'VVith both of the valves 41 and 42 open it will be evident that the blown-off steam and Water will be discharged from the upper heater through pipes 38 and 39, and if valve 43 located in pipe 39 is open the blown-ofl products will be discharged directly to the sewer. In the normal operation of the device, however, valve 43 is maintained closed thereby compelling the blownoif steam and water discharged from the heater to circulate throu h the coil 37 and discharge through the fitting 40 into the pipe 39 below the valve 43 and subsequently to the sewer. Valve 41 is usually closed and valve 42 is open, the water then rising in pipe 44 to the cross-connecting pipe 45 before it can enter the discharge pipe 39. It

will be apparent that the pipe 41 is 'positioned slightly above the central portion of the coil 37 so that wateris maintained at all times in the coil to the height of pipe per end of the pipe 44 is connects with the eater, as shown in Fig. 1. The valve 47 with which this pi e is supplied near its upper end, is norm'a ly maintained in closed position, but in case of emergency when it is desired to drain the upper heater through this pipe, valve 47 may be opened and valve 42 closed, whereupon the blown-ofi contents of the upper heater may be discharged to the sewer either through the cross-connection 45 or through the valve 41 and the pipe39.

In order that blown-01f steam and water may be admitted to the reservoir, and mingled with the washout and refilling water therein if desired,- the coil 37 is provided with valves 48 and 49 which are equipped with operating handles 50 and 51, respectively, by means of, which the valves may be manipulated from outside the reservoir.

' By adjusting these valves any desired quantity of the blown-off steam and water may I be discharged from the coil directly into the reservoir to be mixed with the water there- .in, and utilized for washout and refilling purposes. The contents of the reservoir may be drained into the sewer whenever desired by opening valve 52 which establishes communication through pipes 53 and 54 between the reservoir and the sewer.

' A fitting 55 is located in the blow-0d main 5, said fitting being in the form of a T with a lateral shoulder which forms a right angled connection between the main portion 5 of the blow-off main and the short-- froni the power boilers is thus saved and conducted by the pipes 58 and 59 to the fitting 55 from whence it is conducted by theblow-off branch 5 to the filling water heater.

A check-valve 60 is provided in the blowoff main 5 to prevent the exhaust steam which enters through the pipe 59 from being conducted through the blow-oft main to the drops when the pressure in the exhaustpipe 58 exceeds that in the blow-off main. Likewise a check-valve 61 is provided in the connecting pipe 59 to prevent blownoii steam from discharging back into the exhaust pipe when pressure in the blow-ofi main exceeds that in the exhaust line 58.

The lower endofthe scale pooket57' iscon nected with the sewer through a short con- 7 nection 62 which is controlled by a handmatter carried by the blown-0E water will be deposited in the scale pocket 57 while the steam and water will pass on through the branch 5' into the heater. If at anytime it should become desirable to blow off the steam and water from the boiler directly to the sewer this may be accomplished by closingthe hand-valve 64. disposed in the branch 5' and opening the valve 63 located in the connection between the bottom of the scale pocket and the sewer. The valve 63 is also opened whenever it is desired to clean the scale pocket.

The exhaust steam pipe 58 is extended beyond its connection with the pipe 59 and communicates with the top, of the reservoir through the short pipe 32. This connection of the exhaust steam pipe to the reservoir is established for the purpose of conducting the exhaust steam to the reservoir for heating the water therein when the pressure in the blow-ofi' line is great enough to maintain the check-valve'61 closed, thereby prevent- 'ing the passage of the exhaust steam into the heater with the blown-oil products. In order to prevent arevcrse flow of the steam in the exhaust pipe a check-valve 65 may be located in the pipe 58. It will be evident that the fresh cold water in the pipe 31 and the exhaust steam in the pipe 58 are admitted through the same short connecting pipe 32, thereby permitting the steam and water to be mixed and a large proportion of the steam to be condensedbeforeentering the reservoir.

If the blown-oil products in the coil 37 and the exhaust steam admitted through the pipe 58 are not suiiicient to maintain'the water in the reservoir 28 at high enough temperature for washing out purposes, the temperature of said water may be raised by the admission of live steam to the reservoir. A pipe 66 is accordingly provided which enters the reservoir near the top and discharges below the surface of the Water. A thermostat 67 of any referred type is mounted at the out-let en of the reservoir and is connected by a link 68 or other suitable connection with a controlling valve 69 which controls the admission of live steam to the reservoir. Thethermostat may be set so as to deliver steam to the reservoir when the temperature of the water falls coil disposed in the reservoir bycondensa-- -&

below that required for washing out purposes. I a

A pump 70 of any wellknown or preferred type has its intake 71 connected with the reservoir, as shown in Fig. 1, and a strainerbox 72 is preferably disposed across the intake to prevent sediment and solid particles from being drawn into the pump. The water drawn from the reservoir is discharged from the pump into the pipe 73 which is connected with the washout line 6. A branch 74 provided with a valve 75 also connects the discharge pipe 73 with the chamber between the inner heads of the heater 23. When it is desired to use the water in the reservoir '28 for washing out purposes the valve 75 is closed and valve 76 located in the washout line 6 is open, thereby permitting the water to be pumpedfrom the reservoir and delivered to the washout line from whence it is conducted through the drops 13 to a boiler for washing out purposes. When the boiler is to be refilled the valve 76 may be closed and the valve 75 opened, thereby causing the water to be pumped from the reservoir into the heater from whence it is delivered to the boiler for refilling purposes through the refilling line 7 connected with the top of the heater, as shown in Fig. 1. The pump intake pipe 71 is also connected with the pipe 54 leading to the sewer and by opening the valve 77 the reservoir and strainer box may be drained into the sewer, as will be readily understood.

From the above description it will be evident that the blown-ofi products from a boiler are circulated through the tubes in the heater, then through the coil in the reservoir, and are subsequently discharged into the sewer, the sediment and solid particles carried by the blown-01f being deposited in the scale pocket 57. In order that a vacuum may not be formed in the heater or in the tion of the blown-oil steam the pipe 39 is extended preferably up through the roof of the roundhouse and is provided with a back pressure valve 78. Theheater may 'be equipped with a thermometer 79 and a safety valve 80 if desired. The water which is to be employed for both washout and refilling purposes is delivered to the reservoir from a suitable supply through the pipe 31,

. and this water after being heated by the coil 37, the exhaust steam delivered by the pipe 58 and the live steam admitted through the pipe 66, is pumped to the washout line 6 and also into the heater around the tubes .27 where it is further heated for refilling purposes by the blown-oil" steam and water. The. refilling water in the heater may be drained into the reservoir when desired through a pipe 81 provided with a suitable valve 82.

invention which has been chosen for the purpose of illustration in this application has been specifically described, it will be apparent that various changes in the size,'proportion and details of construction of the various parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof,

What I desire to claim is: K 1. A boiler washing and filling system comprising a filling water heater, means for conducting the blown-off steam and water from the boiler to said heater, a washout and refilling water reservoir, a coil arranged in said reservoir, connections from said coil ,7

to the filling water heater whereby the blown-ofi' steam and water are conducted from said heater through the coil to a sewer,

means for supplying water to said reservoir where it is partially heated by said coil, and means for conveying saidepartially heated water to said heater where it is further'heated by said water.

blown-off steam and i 2. A boiler washing and filling system comprising a filling water heater, 2, washout and filling water reservoir, a coil arranged 111 said reservolr, conneetlons whereby the steam and water blown o-fi from a boiler are 7 conducted through said heater into said coiii means for maintaining a predetermine water level in said coil, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water in said reservoir around the coil, and means for conveying said water fromthe reservoir to a'boiler for washout and refilling purposes. 3. A boiler washing and filling system, comprising a filling'water-heater, a blow-off line for conducting blown-oil steam and water from a boiler to saidheater, a washout and refilling water reservoir,ea coil arranged therein, means for conducting the blown-off steam and water together from said heater to said coil, means for permitting a portion'of said steam and Water to escape from said coil into said reservoir to mingle with the water contained therein, and a discharge pipe through which the remainder of the blown-off steam and water is discharged from the coil.

4. In a boiler washing and filling system,

7 the combination of'a filling water heater, a

reservoir for 'washout and refilling water, means for conducting the blown-off steam conducted from the heater to said coil,

means for supplying water to said reservoir around the coil, and means permitting a desired proportion of the blown-off contents contained inthe coil to escape therefromand mingle with the contents of said resercomprising voir.

5. In a boiler washing and filling system,

the combination of a filling water heater, a

reservoir adapted to contain water to be used for washout and refilling purposes, means for conducting the blown-0H steam and water from a boiler to said heater, means for heating the contents of the reservoir by the blown-0H3 water and steam discharged from said heater, means for conducting water from said reservoir to a boiler for washout purposes, and a-connection for conducting water from said reservoir to the heater where it is further heated by the blown-off steam and water for refilling purposes.

6. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a filling water heater, means for conveying blown-oil steam and water from a boiler thereto, a, reservoir adapted to contain washout and refilling water, a coil arranged in said reservoir, connections from said heater to said coil whereby the blown-off steam and-wateruare conducted from said heater to said coil, means whereby blown-ofi steam and water in the coil may be permitted to escape into the reservoir, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water in said reservoir, and an overflow connection from said coil to a sewer adapted to maintain a predetermined water level in said coil.

7. A boiler washing and filling system, comprising a filling water heater, a reservoir, and means for discharging the blownofi steam and water from a boiler together through said heater and reservoir successively to heat the contents of said heater and reservoir. v

8. A boiler washing and filling system, comprising a filling water heater, a reservoir, and means for conveying unseparated through said heater and reservoir the blown-ofi steam and water from a locomotive boiler.

9. A boiler washing and fillingsystem, comprising a filling water heater, a reservoir, means for conveying unseparated through said heater and reservoir the blownotf steam and water froma locomotive boiler, and means for permitting a portion of said blown-ofi steamand water to mingle with the contents of the reservoir.

10. A boiler washing and filling system, comprising a filling water heater, a reservoir, means for maintaining a predetermined level of water in said reservoir, means for conveying unseparated through said heater and reservoir the blown-off steam and water from a locomotive boiler,

and a pump for delivering water from said reservoir to the heater, and to a wash-out line simultaneously.

11. A boiler washing and filling system,

a filling water heater, a reservoir, means for conveying the blown-off products of a locomotive boiler through said heater and reservoir successively to heat the contents thereof, means for supplying water to said reservoir, and means for conveying the exhaust steam from a power plant to the water inlet to said reservoirwhereby said steam is condensed and discharged into the reservoir.

12. In a boiler washing and filling system,'the combination of a reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a heater, a blow-ofl' line for conducting blown-off products from a boiler to said heater, a washout line for conducting water from said reservoir to the boiler for washing out purposes, and means for connectingsaid washout line with said blow-ofl' line whereby to main- {aim a circulation of water in the washout 13. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a heater, means for conducting water from said reservoir to the heater, a blow-off line for discharging the blown-ofi' products from a boiler to said heater, a refilling line for conducting the heated water from said heater to the boiler for refilling purposes, and a connection between said blow-ofi' and refilling lines whereby a circulation of water is maintained in the refilling line.

14. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a reservoir, means for supplying water thereto, a filling water heater, means for conducting water from said reservoir to the heater where it is heated for boiler filling purposes, a refilling line for conducting" said heated water to the boiler, a blow-off line for conducting the blownbfi' products of a boiler to said heater, a washout line for conducting water from the reservoir to the boiler for washout purposes, a connection between said washout line and said blow-off line, and a connection between said refilling line and said blow-oil line whereby a circulation of water is maintained in said washout and refilling lines through the blow-0E line.

15. In a boiler washing and filling system, the combination of a blow-ofi main, a

10 out main.

17. In a boiler washing and, filling syswith the blow-ofl main whereby said blowofi' main serves as a return pipe for both the washout and refilling mains. I i

16. In a boiler Washing and filling system, the combination of a blow-ofi' main, a

term, the combination of a blow-off main, a refilling main, and connections independent of the roundhouse drops between said mains whereby the blow-off main serves as 15 a return or circulating pipe for the refilling main.

FRANK w. MILLER;

Witnesses:

I. J. WILSON, M. ROBERTSON. 

